Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 and 10.1: Tablet As Remote Control

In the next two months, Samsung will be releasing its two new Android tablets - the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 with a 7-inch screen and the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 with a 10.1-inch screen. And while they are affordable, at $249.99 and $399.99 respectively, they are more than just tablets. They could be your new universal remote. Or at least that's what Samsung is hoping.

While other tablet makers, like Motorola, Sony, and Vizio, have attempted to integrate remote control technology and inferred blasters into tablets, Samsung's putting an even bigger focus on the integration between the TV and tablet.

"One of the big cornerstones of the Galaxy Tab 2 is based on some research we have done with consumers that shows that the vast majority of them use the tablet on their couch, in front of their TV, and while they are watching TV," Samsung's Travis Merrill told ABC News.

"We have created a home entertainment companionship with the Galaxy Tab 2," he added.

There are two features that interact with the television - and that is any television, it doesn't have to be a Samsung set.

The first is Samsung's Smart Remote, which is powered by an app called Peel. It brings in a view of what is on TV with an interactive graphical interface. Instead of the grid you get on your cable box, there's a bright and colorful interface with photos of the TV shows that are on air. You just tap the channel or show and the channel on the TV will be changed. See, a basic remote.

The second feature is more advanced, and actually lets you watch what's on TV on the tablet. If the tablet is connected to the same home wireless network as your TV, you'll be able to use the Smart View app to watch TV on the tablet. It's ideal for a situation where you want to watch what is on TV in another room. In this case you need to have a Wi-Fi-enabled TV.

Both the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 and 10.1 run Android 4.0, have 1GHz dual-core processors, have two cameras (a 3-megapixel on the back and a VGA cam on the front for video calling), and MicroSD card slots for expanding beyond the base storage. The 7.0 will be available on April 22nd and has 8GB of built-in storage. The 10.1 has 16GB storage and will be on sale on May 13th.